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July 20, 2007

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LOOKING FOR A bargain? For small-business owners keen on saving money (and who isn't?), there's a number of deals and discounts designed especially for entrepreneurs. The trick is just knowing where to look.

We've compiled a short list below on the best places to secure savings on everything from janitorial supplies to workplace-safety CDs. Considering the high costs of starting a business, it's smart to take discounts where you can, whether that's on a stack of Post-its from the office-supplies store or a pile of golf balls emblazoned with your company's logo.

Entrepreneurs spend an average of $10,000 (mostly in personal savings) getting their start-up off the ground, according to a 2006 survey by Wells Fargo. And in the early years, money is scarce: Rent, taxes, inventory, supplies, advertising and employees' wages can eat up any profit your company turns. Lack of capital is often cited as the reason small businesses fail, according to the Small Business Administration's Office of Advocacy. And in 2005 alone, about 544,800 firms with employees, or 10% of the small businesses in the U.S., were forced to shutter operations, according to the agency's most recent data.

So with your tight budget in mind, here are the top five places for small-business owners to look for deals. Keep in mind, some of these programs change fees — you'll need to crunch the numbers to make sure you come out ahead by participating.

Credit Cards

If you're quick at paying off debts, then credit cards with rich reward programs (and no annual fee) are worth a look. American Express's OPEN division routinely lures small-business owners with any number of cards that provide travel, retail or entertainment savings for entrepreneurial customers. AmEx's SimplyCash Business Card, for instance, offers 5% cash back on gas, office supplies and wireless services, while its TrueEarnings Business Card offers discounts on purchases at Costco, plus 3% cash back for dining and 2% cash back for traveling.

Other issuers are going after the little guy, too. Advanta claims to offer the best cards for small-business owners, teaming with VistaPrint to offer 20% savings on custom printing; Web.com to cut 15% off the cost of a web site built to order; and PaloAltoSoftware to slash 50% off the cost of business-planning software. Confused by all the offers? Read more here. And click here for CardWeb.com July 2007 survey of business credit cards. 

Small-Business Associations

Banding together for group rates is a great way to save, and one organization that does that well is the National Federation for Independent Business, founded in 1943 as a nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy group for small-business owners. "The benefits program that we have developed is focused on saving entrepreneurs time and money, and providing them with expertise," says Jeff Koch, vice president of NFIB's member-benefits division in Nashville. Members get discounts on Dell products and FedEx services, and savings on business-insurance coverage through carriers such as the Hartford and AIG. NFIB partners with health-care providers, such as eHealth Insurance, to provide health savings accounts (HSAs) to members at reduced rates. NFIB also offers legal compliance guides, low-cost workplace-safety CDs and risk-management tools to keep its members out of trouble. The price of NFIB membership varies based on a business owner's ability to pay but the average annual fee is $260 a year, Koch says.

A number of other national business organizations provide discounts to members, including the National Association of Women Business Owners, the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the National Association for the Self-Employed. 

Trade Groups

Entrepreneurs in specific industries can turn to trade groups for special deals, not to mention networking and continuing-education opportunities. Got your own construction firm? Check out Associated Builders and Contractors, a leading organization representing the U.S. construction industry, which provides its members with cut-rate deals on specialty-trailer leases, customized fleet-management programs and trucking-delivery services. Or, if flower shops are more your cup of tea, check with the American Nursery & Landscape Association, which offers discounts on everything from seasonal-worker health insurance to colorful garden-center banners that says "Fall is for Planting."

Retailers

A number of big stores do their best to court small-business owners. Computer maker Dell, for instance, has products and services designed for home-based entrepreneurs and small-business proprietors and routinely offers special deals and technical phone support from experts trained in the needs of small firms. Need office supplies? Staples spokesman Mike Black says small-business owners benefit the most from the company's rewards program because of several ongoing offers, such as 10% back on purchases of ink, toner, paper and print-center services. For business owners who love to buy in bulk, BJ's Wholesale Club offers a special membership. For $45 a year, business owners can get special rates on janitorial supplies, vending-machine stock and brand-name office equipment. Owners must present two proofs of business status to qualify for membership, according to BJ's. 

Online vendors

Several web merchants specialize in selling promotional items at low enough rates for small businesses. Branders.com allows businesses to add their logos to hats, T-shirts, coffee mugs and other products suitable for trade shows or corporate gifts. The company claims that its prices are 20% below competitors', and offers a $50 credit for a first-time buyer purchase of more than $500 in merchandise. CustomInk.com allows business owners to splash their logos on everything from golf balls to umbrellas, and provides an easy-to-use online lab, free shipping, and a money-back guarantee on all orders. CaféPress.com not only offers customized merchandise but also another revenue stream for the right entrepreneur: Customers can set up their own online shop and sell custom designs through CaféPress's web site.